Trainer Faisal Abbas has had a fairly successful season and his ward Holy Smoke (Phoenix Tower – Little Treasure, Manjri Stud) has made ample contribution to his win tally. Holy Smoke dished out a clinical performance to pick his fourth successive victory this season, thus remaining unbeaten on the Mahalaxmi turf. This one was perhaps the easiest of them all.

Taking on just two rivals after the withdrawal of Shania, Holy Smoke found himself in front and he settled down to lead galloping at a decent pace. Simply Sweet and The Big Bull followed him a couple of lengths away until the turn.

Once into the straight, Holy Smoke started to skip away from his two rivals and did not encounter any semblance of fight from either of his two rivals. Holy Smoke with Zervan in the saddle won it with minimum effort and looks good for more in time to come.

Anteros (Multidimensional – Moonlight Romance, Usha Stud) was another runner in the day at cramped odds. However, he did cause a hint of anxiety as Highland Breeze stuck along for far too long.

The field of three was off to a decent start with Highland Breeze leading them into the straight. Anteros was last about 3 lengths behind Himalaya. On turning for home, Highland Breeze kicked on gamely while Himalaya was not getting into any kind of rhythm. It was later announced that Himalaya broke a blood vessel.

Anteros had some ground to cover and he started to warm up past the 400. Once he started to cover ground, it looked that he would storm ahead and win easily. However, after passing Highland Breeze and taking charge, Anteros didn’t exactly skip away. Highland Breeze was always close by and in the end Anteros won it by a neck. Anteros appears to be cut out for longer trips.

Trainer Altaf Hussain enjoyed a high-priced double after missing out with favourite Mizilla Gold. It was a close finish for the Rustomji Byramji Trophy Div II where American Agatta surged past Mad Hatter in the straight and took charge. Soon Mizilla Gold started to catch up and Alfredo (Phoenix Tower – Crimson Orchid, Manjri stud) also right there up for the fight. This trio fought it out past the distance post. Alfredo found that extra bit of zing to peg back Mizilla Gold in the nick of time to pull off a narrow win. Mizilla Gold looked a winner, but was overwhelmed close home. American Agatta later lodged an objection against the winner which was duly overruled.

Altaf Hussain came back strongly in the very next race with his ward She Is Special (Ace – Rain Splasher, Poona Stud) available at 8/1 at least. The light framed filly was nimble on her feet and accelerated tremendously in the straight to pull away and win with a lot to spare. She is Special was down the field in the mid-bunch for most of the 2000m journey. Jordana led them into the straight and then gave way to She is Special. Jockey A Sandesh had little to do as the filly sailed smoothly into the lead and worked up a terrific burst of speed leaving the others flat footed. She was all alone in the final furlong and won easing up. Komandant ran a good second.

Altaf Hussain then pulled off another victory with Hunting Pleasure (Ace – Impazzata, Poonawalla Stud). Hunting Pleasure was not in the best of positions coming into the straight with a closely knit bunch in front of him. Nigella had just taken over from Moondrops when Trevor astride hunting Pleasure switched lanes and burst on to the scene. Hunting Pleasure had a good momentum going and he found Nigella too easy to counter. He shot ahead in the final furlong to steer clear of any threat and romped home a clear winner. Royal Éclair ran on from behind to finish a noteworthy second ahead of Nigella.

Shivalik Rose (Archipenko – Musk Rose, Hazara Stud) got the measure of favourite Coley to win a closely fought battle. Rising Concert led them into the straight and faded away. Coley and Shivalik Rose were stuck together soon on straightening up and started fighting stride for stride. Shivalik Rose always had a slight upper hand and jockey Jorawar Singh was persistent in egging Shivalik Rose on. The fought until the last stride and Shivalik Rose had enough legs to hold on and score a maiden win.

An Jolie (Excellent Art – Mutually Mine, Nanoli Stud) finally came good after a spate of below par runs and galloped to victory in the Radio One Salver. t well up in third behind Sunny Seas and Zoom Zoom, An Jolie with Yash Narredu astride come into her own in the homestretch.

Zoom Zoom darted into the lead past Sunny Seas soon on turning for home. An Jolie set about in chase and caught up with Zoom Zoom with 300 to go. Zoom Zoom offered stiff resistance for a bit before surrendering to the persistence of An Jolie.    

Veni Vidi Vici (Moon Prospect – Fathing, Doaba Stud) spoiled the party for the well-backed favourite Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Aurelius had just taken charge getting past leader Mind of Madness and Scarlet of Hope when Veni Vidi Vici, spurred on by jockey A Merchant responded with a gallant gallop to tear away from the favourite at the finish. The Hormuz Antia trained grey gelding produced a blazing gallop at the business end to trounce the opposition and score an emphatic victory. Marcus Aurelius was stunned and so were the rest.

For the professionals, trainer Altaf Hussain scored a double as did jockey P Trevor.